Support for installations in housing technology and industry

ABSTRACT

A support for installations in the field of housing technology and industry includes first and second chords ( 12; 22 ) spaced from each other and formed of two elongate profiles ( 13; 23 ) extending parallel to each other and spaced by a distance (A) from each other, U-shaped connection profiles ( 14; 24 ) for connecting the elongate profiles ( 13; 23 ) of at least one of the first and second chords ( 12; 22 ) with legs ( 15; 25 ) of each U-shaped connection profile ( 14; 24 ) being secured to a respective elongate profiles ( 13; 23 ), and with a base ( 16; 26 ) of each U-shaped connection profile ( 14; 24 ) being spaced from the elongate profiles ( 13; 23 ); and with two longitudinally extending wave-shaped bars ( 31 ) for connecting the first and second chords ( 12; 22 ) and having turnover regions ( 32 ) connected with the elongate profiles ( 13; 23 ) of the first and second chords, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support for installations in the field of housing technology and industry and including first and second chords extending parallel to each other in a spaced relationship to each other and connectable with each other by wave-shaped bars, the wave-shaped profile of which undulates in the direction of their longitudinal extent.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For flexible installation of conduits such as pipes, air ducts, cable routes, and the like in the field of the housing technology and industry, often, mounting rails, which are formed of sheet metal, are used. The mounting rails have, e.g., a C-shaped cross-section, with the open region of the mounting rail serving for securing, e.g., with so-called rail nuts, of threaded rods which support the conduits in an elevated position or which provide for suspension of the conduits.

For a formlocking attachment of such fastening elements on a C-shaped mounting rail, they are provided within the open region with a toothing which can, for manufacturing reasons, be impressed sufficiently deep or rolled in only on free sheet edges.

With special connection angles, these mounting rails are assembled beneath each other to form a flat or three-dimensional support structure. These mounting rails often have through-openings in the region of their bottom for direct attachment of the mounting rail to a wall or a ceiling with a dowel.

Mounting rails have proved themselves in practice. However, their drawback consists in that only one side of a mounting rail is accessible for attachment thereto. Because with a C-shaped mounting rail, an open profile is formed, the mounting rail has a substantially worse torsional resistance than a close profile.

Therefore, so-called double C-profile rails were provided, which were formed of two C-shaped mounting rails riveted or welded with each other, and with which both opposite sides are available for attachments, so that a tubular conduit could be secured above or below a double C-profile rail. As the C-shaped mounting rails, the double C-profile rails present, with respect to their load-bearing characteristic, a compromise between the possibilities of attachment and the strength of the profile. Further, double C-profile rails have a relatively large own weight per linear meter, require a relatively large amount of material for the number of attachment possibilities they provide and, in addition, are expensive in production.

British Patent No. 1,358,261 discloses a support for a concrete formwork and having a first chord and a second chord extending parallel to each other at a distance from each other and connected with each other by turnover regions of longitudinally extending, wave-shaped bars. This support has, e.g., in comparison with a C-shaped mounting rail or double C-profile rail, a reduced own weight per linear meter.

The drawback of the support disclosed in the above-mentioned British patent consists in that the support has no attachment possibilities for suspending the support or for suspending conduits and supporting them in an elevated position.

Acccordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a support with a plurality of attachment possibilities and comparatively good static characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a support for installation in a field of housing technology and industry and having first and second chords spaced from each other. The first and second chords are connected by turnover regions of wave-shaped bars the wave-shaped profile of which undulates in the longitudinal direction of the bars. The first and second chords are formed each of two parallel elongate profiles spaced by a distance from each other, and a U-shaped connection profile that connects the elongate profiles of the chord. A respective leg of the U-shaped connection profile is secured to a respective elongate profile, with the base of the U-shaped profile, which connects the legs, being spaced from the elongate profiles. The turnover regions of the wave-shaped bars are connected with the elongate profiles.

The inventive support has a three-dimensional lattice girder structure in which the first chord is arranged advantageously parallel to the second chord. The U-shaped connection profiles advantageously surround the elongate profiles, with the U-shaped connection profiles being connected with elongate profiles in the region of free ends of their legs, e.g., by weld spots. Because of spaced arrangement of the base, which connects the opposite legs of the U-shaped profile with each other, relative to the elongate profiles of the chord, a free space is provided therebetween which enables mounting of a rail nut with an engaging-from-behind part and a stop along the longitudinal extent of the support in a manner similar to mounting of a nail nut on a C-shaped rail, but with the inventive support having, however, advantageous static characteristics and a relatively smaller weight per linear meter.

U-shaped connection profile is understood to represent a connection profile with two legs having free ends and connected by a base. The base can be straight, bent or even angular. The distance between the elongate profiles which form the first chord and also the second chord, is so selected that the engaging-from-behind part of a rail nut can pass therebetween and engage the elongate profiles after being pivoted, so that the rail nut becomes tightened on the support. With correspondingly formed washers or stops, threaded rods, connection elements or the like can be secured in the elongate openings of the support which are provided by elongate profiles. In addition, the openings on the support sides between the chords provide further attachment possibilities, e.g., for threaded rods, connection elements, and the like. The open, accessible form all sides, lattice girder structure of the support enables tightening of check nuts from all sides and within the support. For the attachment, only the first chord, only the second chord or both chords of the support can be used.

Further, the open, accessible from all sides, lattice girder structure of the support enables passing therethrough of installations such as, e.g., tubular conduits that can pass between the first and second chord, with the installation being secured directly beneath the ceiling, with minimum use of space. Installations such as, e.g., tubular conduits can be supported on the support in an elevated position. The support uses the maximum available height and insures, therefore, height attachment possibilities that exceed those of a C-shaped mounting rail in several times at the comparative consumption of a material.

The wave-shaped bars are welded with the elongate profiles, which form the first and second chords, advantageously in the area of their turnover regions. The wave-shaped bars simultaneously insure a constant distance between the first and second chords along the entire longitudinal extent of the support. The wave-shaped bars are advantageously formed of a rectilinear profile bent into a wave-shaped form. Advantageously, adjacent sections of the wave-shaped bars form an angle in the range from 60° to 100°, whereby the support is provided with advantageous static characteristics.

In addition to a continuous wave-shaped form, the bars can be formed with a trapezoidal wave shape. In this case, the bar is bent into a form consisting of stringed together trapezia. Advantageously, the adjacent sections of the stringed together trapezia form an angle from 15 to 35°, which insures that support is provided with advantageous static characteristics. Another form of the wave-shaped bar can be obtained by providing a zig-zag-shaped bars.

The wave-shaped bars are connected with the elongate profiles on their outer sides, which insure an easy manufacturing of the supports. In addition, with this embodiment of the support, the entire space defined by the plane passing through the elongate profiles and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles, is available for securing means, without the wave-shaped bars narrowing this space.

The bases of the U-shaped connection profiles extend at an angle to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles of the chords, so that the longitudinal extent of the U-shaped connection profiles intersects the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles. The connection profiles have a longitudinal extent which is greater than the distance between the elongate profiles, so that the connection profiles cross the elongate profiles, whereby a sufficiently large contact surface between the connection profiles and the elongate profiles is available for providing a reliable connection therebetween. The flatter is the angle, which is formed by the longitudinal extent of the connection profiles and the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles, the longer the longitudinal extent of the connection profiles should be. The longitudinal extent of the connection profiles is advantageously so selected that the elongate profiles of a support are embraced by the legs of the U-shaped profiles from outside, dependent on the arrangement of the elongate profiles relative to each other.

Advantageously, the base of the U-shaped connection profiles extends transverse to a longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles. Thereby, sufficient free space is provided between the U-shaped connection profiles for attachment of threaded rods, connection elements, and the like. In addition, the support remains stable even when the support is cut to a desired length.

Advantageously, the elongate profiles form, in a plane extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles, vertexes of a rectangle. The support can be oriented in different direction, increasing the number of attachment possibilities. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the elongate profiles form, in a plane extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profile, vertexes of a square. With this embodiment of a support, the same attachment elements such as, e.g., rail nuts, can be used at first chord, a second chord, and also at the sides therebetween for attachment, e.g., of a conduit on the support or for supporting the conduit at a certain height.

With a simple connection device, several supports with rectangular or square cross-section can be easily combined to form flat or spatial support structure. The connection device includes, e.g., screws and connection elements such as L-shaped angles with legs provided with respective openings for the screws.

Advantageously, the bases of the U-shaped connection profiles of the first chord are located adjacent to the bases of the respective U-shaped profiles of the second chord. Thereby, a mounting opening extending over the entire longitudinal extent of the support is provided between the elongate profiles that form the first chord and/or the elongate profiles that form the second chord. The mounting opening(s) is (are) provided for rail nuts to be inserted therein and displaceable therealong to their intended position. There is further provided a receiving space, e.g., for a guide section of an attachment element which connects two supports with each other.

As an attachment element for connecting two supports, a L-shaped angle provided with beads, can be used, with the bead bottom penetrating into the receiving space upon mounting of the L-shaped angle on the support. The beads in the angle serve, on one hand, as guide means and as rotation-preventing means and, on the other hand, the beads improve the strength characteristics of the angle. The receiving space can simultaneously serve for receiving the rectangular headpiece of a truss-head screw. Thereby, the truss-head screw is retained against rotation upon being tightened.

Advantageously, the elongate profiles of at least one of the chords are provided with toothing that can be formed on the inner side or the outer side of the elongate profiles, providing for a formlocking connection of an attachment part. Advantageously, the engaging-from-behind parts and/or a stop of a rail nut are also provided with a toothing engageable with the toothing on the elongate profiles. The toothing on the elongate profiles is formed, e.g., by rolling-on process. Alternatively, as an elongate profile, a threaded rod can be used, with the thread of the threaded rod forming a circumferential toothing of the elongate profile.

Advantageously, at least one of the elongate profiles is provided with two toothings arranged on opposite sides of the elongate profile. When the engaging-from-behind part and a stop of a rail nut are also provided with toothing, an attachment element on the support can be better secured in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the support.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an elongate profile can have more than two toothings, e.g., it can have four toothings, advantageously, arranged transverse to each other. Thereby, e.g., also sidewise attachments can be formlockingly secured to the support between the chords, e.g., with rail nuts or correspondingly formed washers or stops.

Advantageously, the wave-shaped profile of the bars undulates in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles so that a plurality of attachment possibilities is provided on support sides between the first and second chords. This arrangement of the wave-shaped bars is particularly advantageous when an installation, e.g., a tubular conduit must be extended between the first and second chords in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the chords.

Advantageously, at least one of the elongate profiles has a circular cross-section. Most advantageously, all of the elongate profiles have a circular cross-section. Such a support can be easily produced in a plurality of shapes to be able to cover a large field of static requirements the support needs to meet.

Advantageously, at least one of the U-shaped connection profiles and/or at least one of the wave-shaped bars has a circular cross-section. Most advantageously, all of the U-shaped connection profiles and/or wave-shaped stabs have a circular cross-section. Such a support can be easily produced in a plurality of shapes to cover a large field of static requirements the support needs to meet.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elongate profiles, the U-shaped connection profiles, and the wave-shaped bars all have a circular cross-section. Alternatively, separate profiles can have a non-circular cross-section, whereby, e.g., a combination of elongate profiles with polygonal, e.g., rectangular, cross-section and with a circular cross-section can be used for forming the first chord and/or the second chord.

Advantageously, the ratio of cross-sectional dimensions of elongate profiles to cross-sectional dimensions of the wave-shaped bars lies in a range from 1.1:1 to 3:1, which provides for a support with advantageous static characteristics at a low own weight per linear meter.

Advantageously, the ratio of cross-sectional dimensions of elongate profiles to cross-sectional dimensions of the U-shaped connection profiles lies in a range from 1:1.1 to 1:3 which provides for a support with advantageous static characteristics at a low own weight per linear meter.

The elongate profiles, connection profiles, and/or wave-shaped bars are advantageously formed of wire. For a simple manufacturing of supports, advantageously, wires with the same cross-sectional dimensions and/or with the same cross-sectional shape are used for the wave-shaped bars and the connection profiles.

Instead of welding connections, the elongate profiles, connection profiles, and the wave-shaped bars can be soldered with each other or glued with each other.

As the material for the profiles or the wire advantageously, metal is used. Dependent on the field of use, a stainless steel or aluminum can be used. Alternatively, the profiles and wire can be formed of plastics or carbon fiber-reinforced plastics for producing supports.

The novel features of the present invention, which are considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a perspective view of a support according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view along line II-II in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 a partial side view of the support according to the present invention.

Basically, the same elements in the drawings are designated with the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A support 11 for installations in the field of housing technology and industry, includes a first support chord 12 and a second support chord 22 spaced from the first support chord 12 and extending parallel thereto. The first and second chords 12 and 22 are connected with each other by two, wave-shaped along their longitudinal extent, bars 31 which are connected with the first and second chords 12, 22 at their turnover regions 32. The adjacent sections 33 of the wave-shaped bars 31 form with each other an angle W of about 80°.

The first chord 12 is formed of two, extending parallel to each other and spaced from each other by a distance A, elongate profiles 13 which are connected with each other by U-shaped connection profiles 14. The U-shaped connection profiles 14 each has two legs 15 and a base 16 connecting the two legs 15. The base 16 of a U-shaped connection profiles 14 extends transverse to a longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles 13 and has a longitudinal extent that is greater than the distance A between the elongate profiles 13. A respective leg 15 embraces the respective elongate profile 13 and is secured thereto with weld spots. The base 16, which connects the two legs 15 of the connection profile 14 is spaced from the elongate profiles 13 to provide a free space 17 for engaging the elongate profiles 13 from behind. The elongate profiles 13 and the connection profiles 14 are formed of a wire and have a circular cross-section. The wave-shaped bars 31 are also formed of wire and have a circular cross-section.

The second chord 22 is formed of two, extending parallel to each other and spaced from each other by a distance A, elongate profiles 23 which are connected with each other by U-shaped connection profiles 24. The U-shaped connection profiles 24 each has two legs 25 and a base 26 connecting the two legs 25. The base 26 of a U-shaped connection profiles 24 extends transverse to a longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles 23 and has a longitudinal extent that is greater than the distance A between the elongate profiles 23. A respective leg 25 embraces the respective elongate profile 23 and is secured thereto with weld spots. The base 26, which connects the two legs 25 of the connection profile 24 is spaced from the elongate profiles 23 to provide a free space 27 for engaging the elongate profiles 23 from behind. The elongate profiles 23 and the connection profiles 24 are formed of a wire and have a circular cross-section.

The elongate profiles 13 and 23 form, in a plane extending transverse to their longitudinal extent, vertexes of a rectangle or a square. The width B of the support 11 corresponds to the height H of the support 11. Because of this, the distance A between the elongate profiles 13 of the first chord 12 and the distance A between the elongate profiles 23 of the second chord 22 are equal to each other. The wave-shaped bars 31 undulate in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles 13 and 23 and are connected with the elongate profiles 13 and 23 outside thereof.

The base 16 of the U-shaped connection profiles 14 and the base 26 of the U-shaped connection profiles 24 are arranged adjacent to each other. To provide the free space 17, the base 16 of the U-shaped connection profiles 14 of the first chord 12 is arranged on a side of the elongate profiles 13 of the first chord 12 which is adjacent to the elongate profiles 23 that form the second chord 22. To provide the free space 27, the base 26 of the U-shaped connection profiles 24 of the second chord 22 is arranged on a side of the elongate profiles 23 of the second chord 22 which is adjacent to the elongate profiles 13 that form the first chord 12. Both the free space 17 and the free space 27 form an accessible from outside, mounting opening for arrangement of rail nuts 1 which extends over the entire longitudinal extend of the support 11.

The U-shaped connection profiles 14 for the elongate profiles 13 that form the first chord 12, and the U-shaped connection profiles 24 for the elongate profiles 23 that form the second chord 22 are provided between respective turnover regions 32 of respective wave-shaped bars 31.

The elongate profiles 13 of the first cord 12 and the elongate profiles 23 of the second chord 22 are provided on both sides of the profile with toothing 18, 28, respectively. The toothing 18, 28 are arranged, on one hand, on an outer side of a respective elongate profile 13, 23 remote from the elongate profile 23, 13 respectively, and on the other hand, on an inner side of the respective elongate profile 13, 23 adjacent to the elongate profile 23, 13, respectively.

The ratio of the diameter D of an elongate profiles 13 or 23 to the diameter S of the wave-shaped bars 31 amounts to 2:1. The ratio of the diameter D of the elongate profiles 13 or 23 to the diameter V of the U-shaped connection profiles 14 or 24 amounts, in the embodiment described here, also to 2:1.

Below, with reference to FIG. 1, an example of a possible mounting of an installation on the support 11.

The engaging-form-behind part of a rail nut 1 is inserted, at a desired location on the support 11, between the elongate profiles 13 of the first chord 12 and into the free space 17 until a stop 3 of the rail nut 1 abuts the outer side of the elongate profiles 13. Then, the engaging-from-behind part 2 is pivoted by 90° for engaging form behind the elongate profiles 13. The rail nut 1 is displaced along the longitudinal extent of the support 11 for an exact positioning of the rail nut 1 and is tightened. The engaging-from-behind part 2 is provided with toothing that formlockingly engages the toothing 18 on the elongate profiles 13 upon tightening of the rail nut 1. For supporting a tubular conduit (not shown) above the support 11, there is provided a pipe clamp 4 adjustable with respect to the rail nut 1 or support 11 with a threaded rod 5.

Though the present invention was shown and described with references to the preferred embodiment, such is merely illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as a limitation thereof and various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore not intended that the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiments or details thereof, and the present invention includes all variations and/or alternative embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A support for installations in the field of housing technology and industry, comprising a first chord (12) and a second chords (22) spaced from the first chord (12), each of the first and second chords (12, 22) being formed of two elongate profiles (13, 23) extending parallel to each other and spaced by a distance (A) from each other; U-shaped connection profiles (14; 24) for connecting the elongate profiles (13; 23) of at least one of the first and second chords (12; 22) with legs (15; 25) of each U-shaped connection profile (14; 24) being secured to a respective elongate profiles (13; 23), and with a base (16; 26) of each U-shaped connection profile (14; 24), which connects opposite legs (15; 25) of the U-shaped connection profile (14; 24), being spaced from the elongate profiles (13; 23); and two wave-shaped bars (31) for connecting the first and second chords (12; 22) and having a wave-shaped profile that undulates in a longitudinal direction of the bars (31), and turnover regions (32) connected with the elongate profiles (13; 23) of the first and second chords, respectively.
 2. A support according to claim 1, wherein the base (16; 26) of the U-shaped connection profiles (14; 24) extend transverse to a longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles.
 3. A support according to claim 1, wherein the elongate profiles (13; 23) form, in a plane extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles (13; 23),vertexes of a rectangle.
 4. A support according to claim 1, wherein the elongate profiles (13; 23) form, in a plane extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles (13; 23), vertexes of a square.
 5. A support according to claim 1, wherein the base (16) of the U-shaped connection profiles (14) of the first chord (12) are located adjacent to the bases (26) of the respective U-shaped profiles (23) of the second chord (22).
 6. A support according to claim 1, wherein the elongate profiles (13; 23) of the at least one of the first and second chords (12; 22) are provided with toothing (18; 28).
 7. A support according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongate profiles (13; 23) of the at least one of the first and second chords (12; 22) is provided with two toothings (18; 28) arranged on opposite sides of the at least one of the elongate profiles (13; 23).
 8. A support according to claim 1, wherein the wave-shaped profile of the bars (31) undulates in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the elongate profiles (13; 23).
 9. A support according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongate profiles (13; 23), the U-shaped connection profiles (14, 24); and the wave-shaped bars (31) have a circular cross-section. 